Bill Cosby began his career as a stand-up comic at the hungry i club in San Francisco during the 1960s. He then landed a starring role in the television show I Spy, followed by his own sitcom The Bill Cosby Show, which ran for two seasons from 1969 to 1971. In 1972, using the Fat Albert character developed during his stand-up routines, Cosby created, produced, and hosted the animated comedy television series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids which ran until 1985, centering on a group of young friends growing up in an urban area. Throughout the 1970s, Cosby starred in about a half-dozen films, and occasionally returned to film later in his career. He attended Temple University in the 1960s and received his bachelor's degree in 1971. In 1973, he received a master's degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and he earned his Doctor of Education degree in 1976, also from UMass. His dissertation discussed the use of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids as a teaching tool in elementary schools.
Beginning in the 1980s, Cosby produced and starred in the television sitcom The Cosby Show, which aired from 1984 to 1992 and was rated as the number one show in America for 1984 through 1989. The sitcom highlighted the experiences and growth of an affluent African-American family. Cosby produced the spin-off sitcom A Different World, which aired from 1987 to 1993. He also starred in The Cosby Mysteries from 1994 to 1995, starred in the sitcom Cosby from 1996 to 2000, and hosted Kids Say the Darndest Things from 1998 to 2000.
Cosby's career and image were seriously damaged in the 2010s amid numerous highly publicized sexual assault accusations, the earliest of which date back decades. More than 60 women have accused him of rape, drug-facilitated sexual assault, sexual battery, child sexual abuse, and sexual misconduct, although the statute of limitations has expired in nearly all accusations. Cosby was found guilty of three counts of aggravated indecent assault on April 26, 2018.
Little Old Man
Bill Cosby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, everything is all right, uptight, out of sight
I'm a poorman's son, from across the railroad tracks
The only shirt I own is hangin' on my back
But I'm the envy of every single guy
Since I'm the apple of my girl's eye
When we go out stepping on the town for a while
My money's low and my suit's out of style
Out of sight because my heart is true
She says baby everything is alright, uptight, out of sight
Baby, everything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight
I'm a pearl of a girl, I guess that's what you might say
I guess her folks brought her up that way
The right side of the tracks, she was born and raised
In a great big old house, full of butlers and maids
No one is better than I, I know I'm just an average guy
No football hero or smooth Don Juan
Got empty pockets, you see I'm a poorman's son
She says give her the things that money can buy
But I'll never, never make my baby cry
And it's all right, what I can't do
Out of sight because my heart is true
She says baby ev'rything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight
Baby, everything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight
Baby, everything is alright, uptight, ah ah ah ah
Baby, everything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight
Baby, everything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight
The song "Little Old Man" by Bill Cosby is a catchy tune that speaks to the experience of being in love despite facing social and economic challenges. The lyrics begin with the repetition of the phrase "Baby, everything is alright, uptight, out of sight," which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer, who is a poorman's son from across the railroad tracks, acknowledges his lack of material wealth by pointing out that he owns only one shirt. However, he also notes that he is the envy of other men because he is the apple of his girl's eye.
The song goes on to describe the singer's girlfriend as a pearl of a girl who was raised on the "right side of the tracks" in a big house with butlers and maids. Despite his humble background, the singer believes that he is just as good as anyone else and is content with the love he shares with his girlfriend. He is happy to take her out on the town, even if he doesn't have much money, because he knows that his heart is true. The chorus repeats the phrase "Baby, everything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight" several times, emphasizing the singer's satisfaction with his current situation and his confidence that everything will work out in the end.
Overall, "Little Old Man" is a lighthearted and uplifting song that celebrates the power of love. Despite the challenges that the singer and his girlfriend face, they are determined to stick together and make the most of what they have.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, everything is all right, uptight, out of sight
Despite being poor and wearing old clothes, everything is still great and I'm happy.
I'm a poorman's son, from across the railroad tracks
I come from a poor family who live on the less wealthy side of town.
The only shirt I own is hangin' on my back
I only have one shirt which I wear all the time.
But I'm the envy of every single guy
Other guys are jealous of me.
Since I'm the apple of my girl's eye
My girlfriend loves me very much and thinks I'm special.
When we go out stepping on the town for a while
When we go out and have fun together in the city.
My money's low and my suit's out of style
I don't have much money and my clothes are old-fashioned.
But it's all right if my clothes aren't new
It's okay if my clothes aren't brand new.
Out of sight because my heart is true
It doesn't matter what I wear, my girlfriend still loves me for who I am.
She says baby everything is alright, uptight, out of sight
My girlfriend reassures me that everything is still great despite our circumstances.
I'm a pearl of a girl, I guess that's what you might say
My girlfriend is beautiful and special.
I guess her folks brought her up that way
Her parents raised her to be a certain way.
The right side of the tracks, she was born and raised
She comes from a wealthy family on the richer side of town.
In a great big old house, full of butlers and maids
Her family had a big house with servants.
No one is better than I, I know I'm just an average guy
I may not be wealthy or powerful, but I'm still special to her.
No football hero or smooth Don Juan
I'm not an athletic or suave guy.
Got empty pockets, you see I'm a poorman's son
I don't have much money because of my poor background.
She says give her the things that money can buy
She wants expensive things.
But I'll never, never make my baby cry
I'll always make sure she's happy and won't let her cry.
And it's all right, what I can't do
It's okay that I can't provide her with everything she wants.
Out of sight because my heart is true
My love for her is what matters most.
Baby everything is alright, uptight, clean out of sight
Everything is still great between us and we're both happy.
Baby everything is alright, uptight, ah ah ah ah
Everything is still great between us and we're both happy.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Henry Cosby, Stevie Wonder, Sylvia Moy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BackToTheBlues
I heard this once on the radio in the 1970's and was really struck by that high-energy rhythm guitar playing!
@davidhugaert8006
I love this 1967 Bill Cosby hit, which peaked @ #4 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart!!!
Bravo, Bill Cosby (performer/co-writer), Sylvia Moy (co-writer) & Stevie Wonder (co-writer)!!!
@notvalidcharacters
Actually, it's a coincidence but the "Cosby" credit is Henry Cosby, Motown songwriter for lots of early Stevie Wonder songs. No relation.
@raymondmalcuit8361
This Novelty Hit Went To Number 4 On The Billboard Hot-100 Chart In 1967.
@b00gi3
Bloody awesome track!
@NeilSoulo
I've had the original 45 since the sixties, and I just picked up the album (September 2021), in Texas, for $3.00. The term Northern Soul, didn't exist at that time (mid sixties), but the music already did, at the Wheel, in Manchester, and a few other places. KTF.
@tangobango9653
Geesh Ole’ Bill could do no wrong back in the day. Things have sure changed. 🥴
@wendigo53
For sure. In the 80's, the "Bill Cosby" effect was considered a good thing.
@briancunningham7091
brilliant sound big on the n/s scene love it
@mcgannahanskyjellyfetti1663
Why did you do it, Bill? 😟